Employees Want Support—But Stigma Keeps Mental Health in the Shadows
12 January 2026
Supporting employee mental health
Nearly a third (29%) of PR, Marketing and Communication employees in small businesses who have needed mental health support at work feel unable to ask for it, despite over two-thirds (68%) saying their mental health impacts their productivity.
The findings come from a study by health insurer Vitality looking at SME businesses, which found the other main barriers to those who needed mental health support at work but were unable to ask include:
- Lack of managerial training (47%)
- Perceived stigma around mental health (45%)
- Employees not believing their concerns would be taken seriously if raised (38%)
- Not having the right workplace culture in place to provide support (37%)
- The belief that other colleagues who seem worse off haven’t asked for help (27%)
- Not having the right workplace systems in place to provide support (23%)
In response to these findings, Dr Katie Tryon, Deputy CEO at VitalityHealth, said: “Stigma and mental health comparison has no place in the modern workplace, and neither should stop anyone from seeking support if they need it. Our health is a significant contributor to how we operate within the workplace, and the sooner we break down these barriers, the sooner we will impact people's lives. Businesses have a unique opportunity to play a positive role in providing this support and creating a culture that nurtures rather than isolates.”
The data found that more than two in three employees worry about the impact conditions like stress have on their physical health, as well as the negative effect it can have on productivity. Vitality has found that businesses prioritising mental health are more likely to attract and retain talent.
Nearly eight in ten respondents were also shown to be more likely to take a job or stay with their current employer if offered stress and burnout management courses, line manager training for common mental health conditions, and easy access to mental health support such as counselling.
Athos Rushovich, Director of Specialist Health Distribution at Vitality, said: “Our research shows how significant the mental health challenge is for smaller businesses within marketing and PR. Mental health is not just a personal issue; it’s a business imperative, even more so given the extra pressure that illness of any form can put on a smaller business.
“These statistics highlight the opportunity that is also out there - if employers prioritise and support better health more generally, taking action to break the stigma attached to mental health within their businesses, they can transform lives, their workplace culture and ultimately business productivity.”
Notes to Editors:
Opinium and Vitality surveyed 500 UK SME workers in comms, marketing, and PR SMEs in November 2025.